Sometimespsychotic and junkDNA, have you ever read Mercedes Lackey's Elemental Masters, which you don't have to read in any order. The women in the books have birds. They are fantasy books and if you like birds, you would probably like them. I'd recommend The Wizard of London and then Home from the Sea. Reserved for the Cat is also excellent.

Let's see, today I'll be home all day, so I'll probably spend a lot of time online or reading and taking care of bills. Mondays, Wed., and Fri. I spend around people, and Tue. and Thurs. I spend alone. It works out ok. for me.